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| Menalpyn
Station |
Menalpyn is a
3,700 hectare (9,000 acre) beef grazing property situated
between Meningie and Coonalpyn in the Coorong District of
the upper South East of South Australia. The station was
first farmed by Ralph and Julie Cartledge and is now owned
and operated by their son Tim, his wife Lise and their son
Henry and his wife, Prue. The Cartledge family have worked
Menalpyn for the past 50 years and across 3 generations.
Menalpyn produces premium crossbred cattle for domestic
and export markets and sound, reliable and balanced stud
simmental cattle, through implementing innovative and responsible
management methods. Examples include companion cropping,
maintenance of native vegetation and good stock handling.
See the Cattle, Pasture and Responsibility links for more
information on these initiatives.
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From
left: Lise, Bjorn, Tim and Erica Cartledge with Erica's fiance
Nic Smelt, Henry's fiance Prudence Hompas, Henry Cartledge,
Lisa and Paul Redlin, Julie Cartledge and Bob Chapman |
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| Climate |
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Average
rainfall for the area is 450mm per annum. Menalpyn enjoys
a Mediterranean style climate with approximately 330mm (73%)
of the rainfall falling in the growing season, between April
and October. Close proximity to the coast of the Southern
Ocean moderates temperature, producing cool sea breezes in
the Summer and reducing frosts in Winter. Thunderstorms during
the summer months produce valuable green feed from our predominantly
perennial pastures. |
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| Soil |
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Menalpyn
is situated on gently undulating ancient sand dunes with low
to moderate irregular sand hills and isolated low limestone
rises. The soil is predominantly 20-50cm of sand over clay.
As a result, the soil drains rapidly, as well as having water
repellant qualities. It ranges between neutral to slightly
acidic at the surface, becoming alkaline at depth. |
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| Pasture |
Menalpyn's
pasture comprises of South African Veldt Grass, Phalaris,
and Tornafield medic with lucerne in the improved pastures.
The property also contains a stand of 70 hectares (173 acres)
of tagasaste trees, to evaluate their potential as livestock
feed. Menalpyn is not currently affected by the local salinity
problems. |
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| Native
Vegetation |
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The
property also contains 660 hectares (1630 acres) of remnant
scrub. This was retained when the property was initially cleared,
contributing to Menalpyn's current relatively good environmental
condition. More than 500 hectares (1235 acres) have been fenced
off from livestock and are registered with Heritage Australia
to maintain these areas as pristine fauna and flora of our
district. The remaining 160 hectares (395 acres) provide shelter
for livestock in our grazing rotations, and help keep the
saline water table at bay. Menalpyn has also incorporated
a replanting program, planting local native tree seeds in
raceways between paddocks. |
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